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Bamboo River, Chapter 44 (Takekawa)

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Bamboo River, Chapter 44 (Takekawa)
Bamboo River, Chapter 44 (Takekawa)
Bamboo River, Chapter 44 (Takekawa)
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Library Item
Item no
16239
Title
Bamboo River, Chapter 44 (Takekawa) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
In this image two women are depicted standing on a stone bridge. One of the women holds up a small child dressed in a red kimono and holding a lucky mallet. The woman has a simple hairstyle and wears a black kimono decorated with flowers. To her left, the other woman crouches down. She is wearing a striped blue and brown kimono with long hanging sleeves (furisode). This style of kimono was traditionally worn by unmarried women. She wears a red obi belt that has been fastened behind her, and wooden clogs (geta) on her feet. The women are in a garden and behind them there is a view of hilly landscape, bamboo plants and an ornamental stone lantern. Gradation printing (bokashi) has been used to add a three-dimensional quality to the bridge. The river and the sky have also been enhanced with this technique.

This image derives from the serial novel or 'gokan', 'A Fake Murasaki and a Rustic Genji' (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) written by Ryutei Tanehiko and illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), that was published between 1829-1842. This story reworks elements from the 'Tale of Genji' and transposes the action from the Heian period (794-1185) to the time of the Muromachi era's Onin Wars (1467-1477).
Artist / maker
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
Date
1853
Size
27.9 x 19.8 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
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